UK holidaymakers travelling to popular spots like Spain, France, Turkey, and Greece will soon face a new £15 fee.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced that air passenger duty (APD) will rise from the 2026/27 financial year, meaning higher ticket prices for travellers.
The increase was revealed in the autumn Budget, where Labour announced £40 billion in tax hikes.
Air Passenger Duty is a tax charged on passengers flying out of UK airports. The rate depends on how far you’re flying and the class you’re travelling in.
This tax applies to passengers aged 16 or older on both domestic and international flights. It was first introduced in 1994 to help offset the environmental impact of air travel.
The fee is included in the cost of airline tickets, and the airlines pass the collected amount to the government. Any rise in APD means ticket prices for UK travellers will go up.
Ms Reeves confirmed the upcoming APD increase will add up to £2 to economy class tickets for short-haul flights, while private jet users will see a 50% increase in their APD rates.
At the moment, economy passengers pay £7 for domestic flights, £13 for short-haul trips, and between £88 and £92 for long-haul flights.
From 2026/27, these charges will increase by £1 for domestic flights, £2 for short-haul journeys, and £12 for long-haul trips.
Under the new rates, travellers will pay £8 for domestic flights, £15 for popular short-haul routes like Spain and France, and £100 to £104 for long-haul tickets. These changes will take effect from 1 April 2026.
Private jet users currently pay £78 for domestic or European flights and £581 to £607 for longer journeys, but their APD rates will jump by 50% in 2026/27.
Ms Reeves told the Commons: "Air passenger duty has not kept up with inflation in recent years, so we are making adjustments, which will mean no more than a £2 increase for economy class short-haul flights."
Discover more hidden gems with our interactive map!
Did you know we have a Hidden Gem Finder on our website? This handy little map shows over 12,000 hidden gems across the entire world with their exact co-ordinates available to view on Google Maps as well as an image/description for each one!
Comentários